The Bansfield Benefice is the collective name for the Parishes of Cowlinge, Denston, Lidgate, Ousden, Stansfield, Stradishall and Wickhambrook in the Diocese of St Edmundbury and Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Are you one to find encouragement in all things or do you, as I, often lament as to how we may prevail? Among my favourite prayers, this of the Breton fisherman, more a statement of the obvious than a prayer ‘Lord, the sea is so big, my boat so small!’ If we are daunted at the task ahead, we in faith are to be sure God knows of our need. Christians used to be known as followers of the Way, the Way of Christ. And we follow His pattern, step by step, and celebrate His company in the lives of those around us. We may wonder at our young Queen’s resolve at her coronation to offer such steadfast service to her peoples and nation as we have witnessed these past sixty years. Of any who have achieved great things in life we may wonder at their perseverance.

Just as the Breton fisherman, awed at the task ahead, the first step is our pattern to meet the challenge, that is to step into the boat, and after the Way of Christ we may know God’s answer to our prayer is to assure us of the great company we keep each and every step along the Way of life’s pilgrimage. For the call of those of faith is ever to look for the good in all things and celebrate the same.

Many of you will be anticipating with joy journeys of Holy days, to arrive at whatever holiday destination you anticipate of course first is to set out. I hope you all will find blessing in your recreation, and return refreshed, and renewed, as in life’s pilgrimage we journey on.

For all, at home or abroad, another favourite prayer after the journeyman St Patrick. A prayer of protection, at each day’s break of camp in his journeying through the land, A prayer of hope that he may ever know God’s presence in Christ’s company in the bond of the anointing Spirit, each step to look for the good in all things.

In the strength of this prayer may we find the encouragement we need and offer hope to those we meet this day.

Christ be with you: Christ within you; Christ before you: Christ behind you;Christ on your right: Christ on your left; Christ above you: Christ beneath you;Christ around you: now and ever.Bind unto yourself the name, the strong name of the Trinity;by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three.Of whom all nature hath creation; Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:praise the Lord of your salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen.